INDECENT SLIMEBALLS: Paul LePage, Governor of Maine

Note: This is a special category of people who, knowing the ravages of poverty, rise to fortune, and like many self-made people, waste no time in thinking (a) that anyone (!) can do the same; or (b) that the “losers” deserve what they get (or rather, don’t get).  The empathetic imagination is sorely lacking in these individuals. They make instant common cause with other millionaires and zillionaires at the top. The idea that wealth and poverty are two sides of the same coin is alien to their narrow, mean-spirited  minds.  Obviously, by a large margin, they’re at home in the Republican party, which has long specialized in enemies of the people like this, but Democrats also have their share of indecents.—P. Greanville

HUFFPOST REPORTING

Maine Gov. Paul LePage Orders Removal Of Labor Mural From State Agency
By Amanda Terkel | aterkel@huffingtonpost.com

First Posted: 03/23/11 01:17 PM Updated: 03/23/11 01:17 PM

On Tuesday, Maine DOL Acting Commissioner Laura Boyett sent out an e-mail saying that after some complaints from businesses, the mural would be removed. Additionally, the state would be renaming eight conference rooms, many of which commemorate former labor leaders and one honoring the first female U.S. Cabinet secretary.

perceived as equally receptive to both businesses and workers — primarily because of the nature of the mural in the lobby and the names of our conference rooms,” wrote Boyett in the e-mail, posted by Maine blog Dirigo Blue. “Whether or not the perception is valid is not really at issue and therefore, not open to debate. If either of our two constituencies perceives that they are not welcome in our administration building and this translates to a belief that their needs will not be heard or met by this department, then it presents a barrier to achieving our mission.”

The mural was erected in 2008, as The Lewiston Sun-Journal notes, after the Maine Arts Commission chose Taylor through a jury selection.

raising the retirement age for some state workers and eventually capping cost-of-living adjustments for retirees in an effort to address the state’s fiscal situation.

List of the rooms that are up for a name change:

  • Able ME Room (DOL program)
  • César Chávez Room (labor leader)
  • William Looney Room (politician)
  • Marianne Martin Room (labor commissioner)
  • Frances Perkins Room (first U.S. Labor Secretary and first female Cabinet member)
  • Rose Schneiderman Room (labor leader)
  • Charles Scontras Room (labor historian)
  • Sarah Wilson Room

•••••

BONUS FEATURE
The same LePage as seen by the establishment

Forbes Focus

Ready For Business

Steven Bertoni, 12.30.10, 11:20 AM EST

Forbes Magazine dated January 17, 2011

LePage

He should be great for Maine if he can overcome the progressives who are doing everything they can to sabotage him.